Building construction



Feb. 11, 1941. H. G. SM1-rs 2,231,396

' BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 10, 1939 4 sheets-sheet 1 ,f aan 66 6? 40a 6 egaal l d 372 lNvN TOR, How/1 Ro G. .5M/71s @Y HARR/s) AAEcf/I Fos TE a HA RR/J ATTO/EWEYJ Feb. 11, 1941. H. G. sms

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. lO, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 11 1941. H. G. sms

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. l0, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 KlscH, Fosn a Hmm/6 Feb. l1, 1941. H, G. SMITS 2,231,395

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. l0, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 N Egea. W

JAM/'ENTOQJ HOWARD GSM/71s `v HARR/J, KlEcH, Fos TER a Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNETED STATES anlage PATEN' @FFME 9 Claims.

My invention relates to a building construction, and more particularly to a dome construction for use as an airplane hangar, or for exhibitions, or for any purpose for which it is desired that the roof and walls be entirely supported from the peripheral foundation of the building, thus rendering unnecessary any pillars or columns within the structure. In plan, such structures may be circular or elliptical, or curved according to any desired regular or irregular curve, or polygonal with its sides forming or approximating chords of such a curve, and it is to such structures that I refer herein as dome structures.

It is an object of my invention to provide a dome structure in which the primary stress upon all of the structural members is axial whereby lighter and less expensive structural members may be employed than would be required if such members were subjected to bending moment.

It is another object of my invention to provide a structure and a method of assembling the same in which portions of the structure to be last erected may be readily employed as shoring or supporting members during the erection. More particularly, it is an object of my invention to provide a construction and a method of erecting the same by which elements of the roof section or disc to be last installed are adapted for and used as shoring 4during the erection preliminary to the installation of the roof section or disc.

In the use of such structures it is sometimes desired to have the top of the structure entirely open to the atmosphere, and on other occasions it is desired to have it effectively closed against ythe elements. It is an object of my invention to provide such a structure having a roof section or disc capable of being easily and quickly installed in position in the structure and removed therefrom and which is stable against tendency to deform or dimple under vertical load.

Likewise, .in the use of such structures, it is frequently desirable to have means for the entrance of light and/or air, and it is an object of my invention to provide a dome structure having such means in the form of bays offering the minimum impediment to the passage of light and air into and from the structure while contributing to its stability and rigidity.

Another object of my invention is to provide a 5l)r Adome structure which includes a balcony supported entirely by such structure without the use of pillars or columns.

When such dome structures are employed as airplane hangars, and for many other purposes, it is essential that one or more large door open- (Cl. 10S-4) ings should be provided without detract-ing from the stability of the structure. It is an object of this invention to provide such a construction having one or more door openings extending for a substantial part of its periphery and so constructed as to support the structure thereabove in the same manner as if the wall structure were continuous.

In the usual construction the girts or purlins or horizontal or circumferential members do not 10 contribute to their full ability towards the stiftening and strengthening of the ribs or vertical or radial members against buckling because they are attached to only one side or ange of, and therefore are not in the principal plane of, the ribs 15 or vertical or radial members. It is an object of my invention to provide a construction having such members in the same plane whereby the walls and more particularly the ribs are greatly stiffened and strengthened against buckling.

Still another object of my invention is to provide such a construction in which the girts or purlins or horizontal or circumferential members act not only as load supporting girders, but also as struts or staying members which may be called brace members contributing to the rigidity of the construction.

The bracing ordinarily employed upon such structures to carry and distribute the wind and unequal vertical load thereon does not contribute to the fullest possible extent to the stability of the main members or ribs. It is a purpose of my invention to so combine the structural members of the walls with the bracing receiving and distributing such loads thereon as to contribute by such bracing to the rigidity of the main members or ribsand their resistance to buckling stresses. More specifically, it is an object of my invention to so arrange the structural elements and the bracing of the walls that the intersection of the structural elements coincides with and is secured to intersections of the bracing members which are straight and continuous.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of such a structure in which sections 45 thereof may be prefabricated in the shop so that only their assembly is required in the eld.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide a structure of the class described which is easy to erect and as light and inexpensive as is consistent with the rigidity and stability of the structure.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of my invention adapted for large structures, such, for

example, as those having a span or diameter of more than 250 feet;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View of such structure;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one wall panel of this structure;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a light bay panel;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic View of a portion of the roof taken as indicated by the line 6 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line l-l of Fig. 2;

Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, are diagrammaticV ViewsY illustrating steps in the erection of the-structure;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional View of another embodiment of my invention betteradapted for smaller structures, such, for example, vas those having a span or diameter less than 250 feet;

Fig. 13 isa perspective View of a portion of wall of the'embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12;l

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 15 a diagrammatic view illustrating the method of erection of the construction shown in Fig. 14,'

Fig. 16 is a plan View of another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 17 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a sectional viewof such structure;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of this structure in which the bracing characteristics are shown;

Fig. 2O is a plan View of an oval shaped structure having a modied form of roof section or disc;

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic sectional View of the construction shown in Fig. 20;

Fig. 22Y isk a fragmentary elevational View of a modified form of panel construction;

Fig. 23 is a plan view of a structure of modified outline; and

Fig. 241 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated bythe line 24-24 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, which are for' illustrativepurposes only, the numeral 2| of Fig 3 indicatesthe foundation for the structure, which is preferably of concrete. The foundation 2l may be'continuous and polygonal in outline. Thus, if the building is` to be circular in plan, the outline of the foundation represents a plurality of short chords connected together. Secured to the foundation 2 I, as by bolts 22, are bearing plates 23. At spaced points around the foundation 2l, which may be the points of intersection of the sides of the foundation, ribs 24 are suitably secured to the; bearingl plates 2.3V as by angle plates, not shown. Asis illustrated in Fig. 3, the ribs 24 incline inwardly. The upper ends of adjacent ribs 24 are connected by a chord` member or kring section 25. The ribs 24 and ring sections 25 may be advantageously formed of I-beams, and each pair of adjacent. ribs 24 with its connected ring sections 25 (or ring section 25 and lowermost girt) denes a section or arch panel 26 of the construction'. As isillustrated in Fig. 4, each of the ibs 244s common to two of the panels 26.

As illustrated` in Figs. 1 and 2, the panels 26 areerectedaround-the foundation 2l, leaving only suitable door openings, and the chord members or ring sections 25- are connectedtogether through the ribs 24 to provide a ring 27.

Rings, such as the ring 21, are described herein as extending around the structure; by which I mean that they extend either completely around the structure or partially around it to permit of door and like openings therein.

Included in each panel 2% are vertical bridge members 28, the horizontal distance between the upper ends of the ribs 2li being less than the horizontal distance between the lower ends. The bridge members 2S may be similarly disposed with theirv upper endssecured to the ring section 25 and their lower ends secured to a lowermost girt 33 connecting the adjacent ribs 2d near their lower ends. Stiffening members or purlins or brace members or girts 3i] connect the adjacent ribs 24 intermediate their ends and are secured to the bridge members 23. The girts 3i) and the bridge members 28 of each panel, which act as stiifening members and which may be formed of I-beams, are in the plane of the ribs and rings defining the panel; that is, the plane of the inner and outer faces of the girts 3l)k and the bridge members 22 coincide with or are within the planes of the inner and outer faces of the panel 26, as dened by the ring section 25 and the ribs 24.

To aid in carrying the wind load and unequal vertical loads, and to stiien the panels against buckling, each panel 26 is provided with a plurality of diagonal braces 3l. As shown in Fig. 4, each diagonal brace 3l has one end secured to a rib-2l adjacent its connection to a girt 32 or ring section 25, and has its other end connected to the lowermost girt 30 or the ring section 25 adjacent its connection to a bridge member 23 or arib 2li. In this manner there may be an intersections of diagonale in each area defined by intersecting vertical and horizontal members. The spacing of the girts 32 is made such that the other intersections of diagonal braces 3l is superimposed upon the intersection of the girts 30 and the bridge members 28, and at such intersections the brace members are firmly secured to each other and to the adjacent intersection of girts 3B and the bridge member 28. The brace members 3l may also be rigidly secured together at their intersections in the trapezoids defined by the Vertical and horizontal members of the panel. By such construction the primary stress on the ribs 24, ring sections 25, girts 3D, bridge members 28, and diagonal braces 3i is axially imposed, only the vertical live and dead loads and wind loads subjecting the girts to bending stress, with the result that the additional strength which would be necessary if these elements were required to resist bending moment without the advantage of lateral support is not needed. Consequently, the construction can be made of lesser weight and at lesser expense. It is to be noted that this is accomplished by the relative spacing of the girts and bridge members and that the diagonals are straight and continuous through one panel, or if desired, through two or more-panels.

rected upon the lower row of panels 26, which is indicated by the numeral 32, is a second row 33 of panels 313. Rib members 35 of this second panel row 33 incline inwardly to a greater degree than the ribs 24 of the lower panel row 32 and are suitably secured at their lower ends, as by welding or by riveted plates, to the upper ends of the ribs 24 of the lower row. It will be observed that the girts 38 and the ring section 25 of the panel 26 have the planes of their inner and outer faces coinciding with or within the planes of the corresponding faces of the ribs 24 and ring sections 25; Likewise, in each panel 34 of the second panel row 33, the girts and bridge members and the ring section connecting the upper ends of adjacent ribs 35 have the planes oi their inner and outer faces coinciding with or within the planes of the corresponding faces of the ribs 35. It will be obvious that the ring sections connecting the upper ends of the ribs 35will be of lesser length than the ring sections 25 therebeneath, and that the ring sections of the second panel row 33 are connected together through the ribs 35 to form a ring 36. The panels 34 of the second row 33 include girts, bridge members, and diagonals assembled in the same manner as those described in connection with the panel 26.

In identically the same manner, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth rows, 31 to 40, of panels maybe erected, each with a ring at its upper periphery, as indicated by the numerals 31a to 40a of Figs. 1 and 2. Any of the rings above the lowermost ring 25 may act as compression or tension rings during erection and after completion, depending upon the contour of the building and type of load thereon. While the third to sixth rows of panels 31 to 4|) may be constructed in identically'the same manner herein described for the first and second rows, and include bridge members or studs or rafters, and grts or purlins and diagonals, I prefer to include in one or more of the rows of panels bays for the passage of light and air, which bays may extend continuously around the structure in one or more rows of the panels, or may be disposed in any number of panels less than an entire row, that may be desired.

In the drawings, I have illustrated the bays as positioned in the third, fourth, and fifth rows of panels 31 to 39 and as extending continuously around the structure except where the door trussing makes such bays inconvenient. In Fig. 5 there is indicated by the numeral 4| such a panel bay construction providing a bay opening 42. A section 43 of the ring 36 is shown which, as before described, may be an I-beam. Connected to the ring section 43 and inclining and converging inwardly therefrom, are ribs 44 the upper ends of which are secured to a section 45 of the ring 31a. Each rib 44 in this construction is preferably a channel. Secured to each of the ribs 44 adjacent the ring section 43, and extending vertically upwardly is a stud 46 which may be formed of two angles joined together with their connected flanges projecting inwardly of the structure. The upper ends of the vertical studs 46 are attached to a section 41 of an auxiliary ring 48 which may be an I-beam. Connected to each end of the auxiliary ring section 41 and the adjoining end of the adjoining ring section, is a joist or rafter 49, the other end of which is suitably secured to the inner end of the rib 44 therebeneath. Bridging 59 connects the ring sections 41 and 45 between the rafters 49 and is connected to purlins 5| which are attached to the rafters 49. Trussing is provided between each rib 44 and its associated rafter 49 and stud 46 to form a truss member I I the rafters 49 acting as roong supports. This trussing includes braces 52 to 58, which may advantageously be formed of angles.

Two diagonal tie rods 59 are provided for increasing the rigidity of the bay panel construction. Each of the tie rods 59, which may be an angle, is connected at its outermost end to one of the ribs 44 adjacent its outer end and is connected at its other end to the other rib 44 adjacent its inner end. A window beam 60 is connected to the ribs 44 near their forward ends and to the inner faces of the inner angle of each of the studs 46. The window beam 68 is adapted to support ing 42. It will be apparent that since the only bracing connecting the ribs 44 in their plane is the tie rods 59, there is substantially no obstacle presented to the free passage of light and air through the bay 42 and between the ribs 44 to the interior of the structure. In a similar manner bay panels 6| and 62 may be provided in the fourth and fifth panel rows 38 and 39, respectively.

As illustrated in Fig. 3 there is secured to the bottom of each of the channels forming the ribs of the fth panel row a reinforcing member 63 cut upon a line in the plane of the lower surface of the rib 64 of the sixth panel row so that all but a portion ofthe lower flange adjacent the rib 64 is removed from the member 63, and a portion of the web of the member 63 is removed. In order to stiffen the web of the member 63 where the lower flange has been removed, an angle 63a is secured to each side of the web adjacent its lower edge with the projecting flange of the angle lowerrnost. A connecting plate 63h is secured to the remaining portion of the lower flange of the member 63 and the lower flange of the rib 64 to stiifen their connection. A similar reinforcing member 63e is secured to the bottom of each of the ribs 44 of the third panel row 31 and abuts against and is secured to the adjacent rib member 35 of the second panel row 33 so that its lower surface is in the plane of the rib 35.

Each of the ribs 64 of the uppermost panel row projects beyond the uppermost ring 46a and is provided with a connector plate 65 bolted thereto. The connector plates 65 are adapted to be bolted to a roof member or roof disc, indicated by the numeral 66.

'I'he roof disc 66 is formed of a plurality of identical trusses 61, a diagrammatic elevational view of one of which appears as Fig. 6. Referring to this figure, it will be seen that each of the roof trusses 61 includes upper ribs 68 and lower ribs 69 diverging inwardly. These ribs may, with advantage, be formed of inwardly facing channels to which there is secured an inwardly directed angle. The ribs are trussed by four panels 10 to 13, there being included in the panel truss construction braces 14 to 85, illustrated in Fig. 6. When assembled in the roof disc, all of the roof trusses 61 are connected to a common king pin or pipe 86, and a supplementary rib 81 is attached to the king pin 86 and the inner end of the lower rib 69.

As shown in Fig. 2, a part -of the two lowermost panel rows 32 and 33 may be omitted to provide a door opening. Framing this door opening is a lintel truss 68 supported at each end by vertical trusses. 89. The lintel truss includes a pair of upper chords 96 and-a pair of lower chords 9|. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the trussing between each upper chord 98 and the lower chord 9| therebeneath may be formed in panels separated by vertical beams 92 with each panel including diagonal braces 93 connecting intersections of the vertical braces 92 and the chords at diagonally opposite corners of each panel. The trussing between the upper chords 90 and between the lower chords 9| may likewise be formed in panels defined by transverse bracing 94 with diagonal braces 95 in each panel and, if desired, longitudinal and transverse braces closing each panel andintersecting at the point of intersection of the diagonal braces. The truss 88 is stifened by' diagonals H0, one of which connects each upper chord 90 at one end of a panel to the opposite lower chord 9| at the other any suitable closure, not shown, for the bay open- `v outline.

irrFig. 7.

The lower chords 9| project beyond the upper chords l9!! a distance approximately equal to one ofthe panels, the-extremities of thelower chords 9| being'connected-by end beams 98 which may be braced by diagonal members 91. The lintel 88'is supportedv by vertical trusses 89 attached tothe lower chords l9|l'adjacent their ends.

Each of the vertical trusses 89 has inner and outer walls 98, triangular in outline, and a Vertical end wall 99 dening the side of the door opening, and rectangular in outline, and an Ainclined opposite` wall |90, also rectangular: in Each of these walls is suitably trussed with diagonal, horizontal, and vertical braces, not showny in detail.

As shown in Fig. 7, the ring 36 at each of the ribs 44' is connected by a suspender |8| to one of the horizontalbraces |82 connecting the lower chords 9| of the door lintel 88, the points of connection of the Suspenders ||l| to the horizontal braces l| 88 being varied transversely of the lintel 88 along the lintel to permit the alignment of the Suspenders with'the ribs 44 and the inclinaton of the Suspenders on the same slope as thatof'the ribs 35, if they were employed.

As shown in Fig. l, there is suspended from they second ring 38 a track |83 upon which doors, not shown, may roll between open and closed positions. The doors may be made to approximately conform in outline with the walls of the structure, their lower ends moving upon a track lil!! provided in the foundation 2|.

In erecting the structure described, the first two rows of panels 32 and 33 may be assembled in place, as shown, and supported during their erection by suitable guys anchored outside the foundation 2|. In erecting the third and succeeding rows of panels, the roof trusses 6l', with the auxiliary rib 81 and the king post 88 removed therefrom, can be employed as snoring. As indicated at |06 in Fig. 8, one of the roof trusses 67 placed on end provides a suitable supi port for the panels of the third row during their erection. After the third row of panels is installed, the fourth ro-w may be held in position for installation by guys |01. extending from the horizontal members defining the bay opening 42 of the. third panel row, or from the roof trusses 6l, and thereafter, the roof trusses 6l remaining in shoring position, the fifth and sixth panel rows may be supported in position during erection by such guys |88. After the sixth panel row is erected, the ring 49a in compression serves to maintain the structure rigid, it being a feature of this invention that the structure without the roof disc in place is stable and rigid.

The sixth panel row and the ring 49a, being in piace, the roof trusses 61 are assembled to form the roof disc, indicated generally by the numeral |85, the structure being illustrated in dotted' lines of Fig. l0. The roof disc |85 is elevated in any suitable manner, as by a block and tackle secured to the uppermost ring 49a', into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 11, in which it is securedv by bolting the connector plates 65 to the ribs 64 and to the upper and lower ribs 68 and B9 of such trusses. It will be apparent that if it is desired, for any use to which the structure may be put, to have the structure open at the top, as illustrated diagrammaticallyin Fig. 10, the connector plates 65 may-be easily disconnectedvfrom the ribs 68 and 69 andthe roof disc; |85; and the roof disc:

end-of; that panel, one` suchk diagonal' being shown i lowered to thefground.-v The trusses 6l of the roof disc |05; orsections of, the roofdisc composed of ay plurality of such trusses, may be securedA togetherby bolts to facilitate their disassembly and removal from the structure after the roofy disc is disconnected from the structure.

Any suitable coveringmaterial, such as galvanized iron, orwood, for example, may be placed over the structure covering the panels in the rst, second, and sixth rows and the roof disc and the rafters, bridging and purlins 49 and 59 and 5|of the bay panels to enclose the structure.

From the foregoing description of the trussing and bracing or bridging, it will be apparent that it isso arranged that the primary stress on all of the structural members, excepting the girts or purlins and the beam stresses in the ribs, is axial so that lighter and less expensive members can be employed than would be required if these members were subjected to primary bending moment. Inasmuchas the girts and purlins are in the samey plane with the ribs or rafters instead of in a plane spaced from the plane of the ribs or rafters, the wall of the structure is greatly strengthened against buckling and distorting stresses. Furthermore, because of the assembly of the diagonal bracing in a manner such that intersections of the ribs or rafters and the girts or purlins coincide with and are secured to intersections of the diagonals, the bracing carries more effectively the wind load and unequal vertical loads which may be imposed upon the structure, and also contributes to the resistance of the ribs and walls to.y buckling stresses. The girts and purlins in the structure act not only as girders supporting load, but also as struts or staying members resisting deformation of the structure. Apparent, also, is the ease of erection contributed to'` by the use of the trusses of the roof disc as shoring members during construction of the walls.

As may be seen by reference toFig. 24 purlins, |88 in the uppermost panel row d may be connected to arch membersv or ribs ISB in a manner to provide additional rigidity to the structure. As illustrated in this figure, each of the purlins |86 is cut parallel to its longitudinal axis near its lower flange so that a section |82 thereof may be bent downwardly. 'Ihe lower end of the section |82 is cut at an angle on its lower surface as indicated by the numeral |83, so that it is parallel to the upper surface of the lower flange ofVV the arch member or rib |8|. Thus the lower end of the section |82 may be welded to the upper surface of the flange of the rib 8| A reinforcing plate |84 may be secured as by bolting to the web of the I-beam comprising the purlin |811' adjacent the juncture ofthe section |82 to the remainder of the purlin |88. purlin maybe secured to the rib I8!l by angle plates |85, one angle plate being bolted to each side of the web of the purlin |80, and to the web ofthe rib |8|. A section is cut from the upper surface of each end of the -purlin |89, as indicated by the numeral |86, to permit the reception of the upper ange of the rib |8|.

By dividing the web of the purlin in this manner and connecting the bottom ange of the purlin to or near to the bottom flange of the arch member or rib, and also connecting the purlin and rib adjacent their top flanges, the lateral support given to the arch member or rib by the purlin is increased, with the result that a purlin of lesser depth can be employed, accomplishing a saving in weight and expense. Further, this construc- The end of thetion offers a means of fixing or 'rmly securingthe ends of the purlins so that they are made stiffer and of greater resistance. to deection under load. This spreading of the flanges of the purlin at the ribs increases the depth of the beam at the point of support and thus increases its resistance to bending moment.

In Figs. 12 and 13 is illustrated another embodiment of my invention. In this embodiment the foundation ||5, which may be of reinforced concrete, is formed in outline in a regular curve instead of upon chords or straight lines. Secured to the foundation I is a curved bearing plate I I6 which may be a channel to which there is secured, as by suitable angle plates ||1, inwardly inclined ribs ||8 connected at their upper ends by a ring section ||9, the plane of which is normal to the axis of the ribs ||8. As in the embodiment previously described, the ribs ||8, which in this instance may be inwardly faced channels, and the bearing plate I I6, and. ring section I |9 which may be a flat bar, define a panel indicated by the numeral |25. This panel may include studs or bridge members |2| inthe form of channels or I-beams, and girts |22 of similar form, `and diagonal brace members |23, or sheathing, all arranged so that the intersections of the girts |22 and bridge members |2| coincide with and are attached to intersections of the diagonal brace members |23. In this `embodiment each panel |29 may be constructed in the shop to be installed in the field, inasmuch as the panels |29 do not have common ribs ||8 or ring sections ||9.

Fig. 22 illustrates a modified panel construction which includes ribs |I8a, studs |2Ia, and ring section II9a, as previously described, but which includes only one-half the number of diagonals |23a used in the construction illustrated in Fig. 13. In the modied construction there are no continuous girts, bridge members |22a. being used to connect the intersection of diagonals and studs to only one of the adjacent studs l2la.

In the construction shown in Figs. l2 and 13, the ring sections I9 of the panels of each row are secured to a bearing plate section or lowerring section |24 of the adjacent panel of the next upper row, preferably by bolts |25, so that the adjacent ring sections ||'9 and |24 form in the completed structure a ring |25 acting in the same manner as the rings 25 and 36 to 4|), inclusive, of the embodiment previously described. The vertical connection of adjacent ribs ||8 of panels of each row, which is preferably by bolts, is staggered relative to the vertical connection of adjacent ribs of panels of adjoining rows a distance of at least one-third of the width of the panel.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 12 to 15, I have included only one row of bay panels, which is indicated generally by the numeral |21 and which may be constructed in the same manner as the bay panels already described, so that the minimum impediment to the passage of light and air is oered by the diagonal brace members |28 connecting the ribs and ring sections of the bay panel.

This vstructure includes a roof disc |29 which may comprise a king post |30 mounted upon a ring plate |3| secured by tie rods |32 to the innermost ring |33. Studs |34 are attached by connector plates |35 to the ring |33, and are attached at their inner ends to a tie plate |35 connected to the top of the king post |30. Suitable purlins |31 connect the studs |34. Here, also, the roof disc |29 may be quicklyk and easily removed from the wall structure by disconnecting `the connector plates |35, and the wall structure remains rigid and stable with the roof disc |29 removed.

As illustrated in Fig. 12, tie members |38, which may be I-beams, may be attached to one of the rings |39 to extend inwardly therefrom, preferably in the plane of the ring |39 and substantially radial thereof. The lower ends of these tie members |38 are suitably attached to an inner ring |45 which may be formed of pipe. The inner ring |40 with the tie members |38 is adapted to support a balcony, not shown in detail, extending around part or all of the construction. If desired, the inner ring |30 or the balcony may be supported from or guyed to other rings in the structure, though this is not essential. Such a balcony construction, so supported, may be employed in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive.

In the erection of this construction, the rst row of panels is secured together upon the foundation l5 while supported by any suitable bracing. Thereafter, the second row of panels may be supported during construction in the manner shown by the dotted lines of Fig. 15, by a guy |42, the lower end of which is anchored as by connection to the foundation I5 and which passes over a stiff leg |43 connected to the ring |26 with its Y upper end connected to the upper end of the panels of the second row in a manner to support these panels until they are secured in place.

After the erection of the second panel row, which is indicated by the numeral |44, a similar guy |45, illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 15, may be connected at its lower end to the rst ring |25 and passed over a stii leg |41 connected to and supported upon the ring |43 of the second panel row |44 and connected to the upper end of the panels of the third row to maintain the panels in position during construction. In a similar manner the panels of succeeding rows may be supported by guys extending over one or more stiif legs supported upon the rings of an adjacent or lower panel row during the process of construction. When the uppermost panel row and ring |33 have been installed, the roof disc |29 can be elevated to its proper position as a unit and secured in place or assembled in its final position, as may be desired.

In Fig. 14 I have illustrated still another embodiment of my invention employing a foundation |50 regularly curved in outline and a curved bearing plate |5| to which inwardly inclined ribs |52 may be secured by connector plates |53 to define the sides of a panel |54. In this embodiment the ribs |52 are attached through connector plates |55 to ring sections |56 which are formed of pipe. Girts, bridge members, and diagonals may be employed in these panels |54 in the same manner as previously described. Pipe forming the ring sections |55 may be continuous around the structure to provide the rings |51, the connector plates |55 being secured thereto as by welding. This construction may be readily erected by supporting panels during construction with guys, as previously set forth. The provision of ring members in the form of pipe may, with advantage, be employed in that embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive.

Fig. 16 illustrates a circular structure having a foundation |95 of frusto-conical formprojecting above the surface of the ground. In this construction, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 18, a rst panel I9| may be constructed in the manner previously described. A second panel istruction d bay construction 193 similar to the Vlpanel bay construction ILpreviously described, and there- Yabove lan auxiliary `panel row |911 of a construction-similar to the panel 29 of Fig. 4. Ringsections `|95 of theauxiliarypanel row |94 arecon- Anected together to form a ring |96 the sections of which are subjected to axial loading. The ring |96 is supported by pillars |91 the lower ends of which are supported upon a foundation |98 within the structure. The pillars |91 are connected to Ieach panel point, as illustrated-inFig. 19.

Above the panel row |92 are panel rows |59 to 292, inclusive, formed to provide light bays, as set -for-thin connection with the -panel bay con- Above `the uppermost row of panel bays -292 is a panel row 293 similar to the vpanel row 49 -of Fig. 1,to which is secured a roof disc 294 of construction similar to that hereinbefore described.

The foundations |99-and |98 may-be connected by a-concrete apron 295 to provide a support for seats surrounding the central arena enclosed lby ythe structure.

In'Figs 20 and 21 there is illustrated anroval `form of structure which includes a roof disc |61 having a central beam |63. Aplurality of -arches or ribs ISS, illustrated as seven in number, are connected to each end of the central beam |69. -In this construction aconsiderable part of the support of the roof-disc is provided by the arches or-ribs |99 at the ends of the structure, the upper ends of these arches or ribs intersecting because they are spaced'around the portion of thestructure having the smallest radius.

YIn Fig. 23 there is illustrated a structure of different outline involving two semi-circular ends |1| connected by an intermediate section |12 having straight sides. Arches or ribs |14 are provided in each semi-circular end and are lof construction similar to that of the ribs previously described. Arches or ribs |15 are provided in the intermediate section |12. The arches |15 ymay be standard arches of no hinges, or standard twohinge arches, or standard three-hinge arches. The ribs |14 lareconnected by ring sections |16 and the ribs `|15 are connected by ring sections |11. The ring sections 11i` are connected together through the ring sections |11 lat the same elevation. In this construction vthe ring sections |16 functionas the ring sections vpreviously described. The ring sections |11, `however,have no effect in reducing the moment in the karches or ribs |15 and are subjected only to tension and compression stresses, except in so far as they may act as purlins carrying vertical load upon the structure vor staying members-preventing buckling of the arches or ribs |15.

While the foregoing embodiments of `my invention are capable of performing the objects and providing the advantages `primarily stated, there are various other embodiments likewise capable of performing such objects and providing such advantages, and I therefore wish my invention to be understood as not restricted to the specic embodiments hereinbefore specifically described.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a dome structure, the combination of: arch panels extending from the base of the structure and including radially directed ribs and horizontal chord members intersecting therewith, said ribs and chord members being solid structural beams which bound said panels; means connectingsaid chords at eachlevel whereby the stress upon said chordmembers is substantially lrow 92, `is illustrated in Fig. 19, includes apanel axial; `andstiiening members Awithin said panels so connected Vto said ribs landfsaid chord members as to prevent their buc'kling in planes normal to the panels, the points Aof connection of the stiifening Ymembers with -said ribs -and chord members being intermediate the points at which the ribs andV chord members intersect.

2. In a dome structure, `the combinationrof: arch panels extending Vvfrom the `base of the structure and including and defined by radially directed ribs and horizontal chord members said ribs and members each being solid Astructural beams; means connecting said chords at each level whereby the stress upon said chord members is substantially axial; and stiffening members so connected to said ribs and said chordmembers at points intermediate the panel corners as to Vprevent'their bucklingfsaid stiiening members being so connected to each other and said ribs and chord members as `to be subjected to substantially no bending moment in response to load applied to the intersection of said ribs and said chord members at the corners of said-panels.

'3. In a dome-like structure, the combination of: rib-members inclining inwardly of the -base of the structure; horizontal ring members intersecting said rib members to form wall panels for the structure bounded by said rib and ring members, said rib and ring members consisting of solid rstructural-beams; a series of spaced stiffening members in each-of at least some of said panels interconnecting adjacent ring `members across the-panels atpoints spaced'fromthe-panel corners toy keep thering members from buckling between panel corners; and `a second `series ci -spaced stifening members in each of the same `panels interconnecting Aadjacent rib members across the panels-at points spaced from the panel corners to ykeep the rib members from buckling betweenthe panelcornerspeach ofsaid series of stiifening members -in a panel being attached to the other -series of stiiening members in the panel at the-points'of intersection of thefstiiening members for mutual bracing lof the stifrening members Vagainst buckling.

4.-fAdome-like structure-as set forth in claim 3 -in which the stiifeningmembers ofitherst-menltionedseries-are substantially normal tothe ring members that they interconnect, the stiffening members of the'secondmentioned-series are substantially normal -to the rib members that they interconnect, `and Din which Vthe stifening members of Iboth said 4series in -a 'panel are within thebounding planes of "the #panel-as defined by the opposite faces of-said members thatform'theY panel.

each ofthe same panels internally and "inter-Y connecting adjacent .rib members at points intermediate panel corners to .prevent .the rib members from buckling ibetwecnpanel corners; and Sintersecting diagonals reinforcing 'each of 'the same fpan'els.

6. A dome-like structure as set forth in claim in which said braces lie within the planes of the panels as defined by the opposite faces of said members that form the panels and in which the upwardly extending braces and the horizontal braces are interconnected at their points of intersection for mutual stiffening.

7. In a dome-like structure, the combination of: rib members inclining inwardly ofthe base of the structure; horizontal ring members intersecting said rib members to form wall panels for the structure bounded by said rib and ring members, said rib and ring members each consisting of solid structural beams; a, series of spaced upwardly extending braces reinforcing each of at least some of said panels internally and interconnecting adjacent ring members at points intermediate panel corners to prevent the ring members from buckling between panel corners; a series of spaced horizontal braces reinforcing each of the same panels internally and interconnecting adjacent rib members at points intermediate panel corners to prevent the rib members from buckling between panel corners; a series of spaced diagonals inclined in one direction across each of the same panels; and a second series of spaced diagonals inclined in the opposite direction across each of the same panels, said braces and diagonals being interconnected at their points of intersection.

8. A dome-like structure as set forth in claim '7 in which said braces are within the planes of the panels as dened by the opposite faces of said members that form the panels and in which points of intersection of the diagonals coincide with points of intersection of the braces and at the coinciding intersection points two braces are interconnected with two diagonals, the braces and diagonal radiating in eight directions from the coinciding intersection points.

9. In a dome-like structure, the combination of: rib members inclining inwardly of the base of the structure; horizontal ring members intersecting said rib members to form wall panels for the structure bounded by said rib and ring members, said rib and ring members each consisting of solid structural beams; a series of spaced stiffening members in each of said panels in some of said rows disposed normal to and interconnecting adjacent ring members across the panels at a plurality of spaced points along said ring members to keep the ring members from buckling between panel points; a second series of spaced stiiening members in each of the same panels disposed normal to and interconnecting adjacent rib members across the panels at a plurality of spaced points along said rib members to keep the rib members from buckling between the panel points, each of said series of stiiening members in a panel being attached tothe other series of stiftening members in the panel at the points of intersection of the stiffening members and being diagonally braced with said other series of stiiening members for mutual bracing of the stiening members against buckling; auxiliary similarly stiifened structural members forming a horizontal row of auxiliary panels extending outwardly from one of said ring members and diverging upwardly from a row of Wall panels devoid of stiffening members and immediately below said ring member to provide bays for the admission of light to the structure; structural members supporting said auxiliary panels from a second and lower one of said ring members; and covering means extending over said auxiliary panels and the wall panels above and below said auxiliary panels.

HOWARD G. SMITS.

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